Cyber Essentials: Why Your Business Needs It

Cyber Essentials

July 13, 2023

Here at Critical Path, our mission has always been to help our clients plan, monitor and control their projects as effectively as possible. In this fast-paced technology-led world, cybercriminals are one of the biggest threats to businesses, with 69% of large organisations suffering some form of cyber attack or breach in the last year. 

That is why we are very proud to announce that we have achieved Cyber Essentials certification. This not only ensures that we are able to protect ourselves, but it also means we can help our clients achieve their own Cyber Essentials certification. 

What is Cyber Essentials Certification?

Cyber Essentials is a unique scheme created by the government to help businesses and organisations protect themselves against the ever-growing threat of cybercriminals. The scheme outlines a set of basic technical controls that companies should implement in order to protect themselves against some of the most common online security threats. 

The Cyber Essentials Certification is suitable for all organisations, no matter their size or the sector they work in. The accreditation is not just about helping businesses with their cybersecurity, but it is also a great way for them to demonstrate to customers their commitment to keeping data secure. 

When answering the question, “what is cyber essentials certification?” it is also important to remember that the government requires all suppliers who are going to be bidding for contracts that will involve sensitive or personal data to have an up to date Cyber Essentials Certification. 

First launched in 2014 with wide industry backing from the likes of the Confederation of British Industry, various insurance organisations, and the Federation of Small Businesses, over 120,000 certificates have since been awarded to a variety of organisations, charities, and businesses. 

In addition to the foundation level Cyber Essentials certification, there is also a higher level called Cyber Essentials Plus which is a rigorous test of an organisation’s entire security system. This will see the Cyber Essentials security experts undertake various vulnerability tests to ensure a business is protected against phishing attacks and other types of hacking. 

Why did we become Cyber Essentials certified?

Cyber threats are one of the biggest risks that businesses face in the modern world. As our reliance on technology continues to grow, so does the risk of a cyberattack, and the Cyber Essentials Certification is designed to help keep organisations like our team here at Critical Path or your business protected. 

We understand the importance of protecting data, and there were a number of reasons why we opted to become certified:

1) Combat the growing threat

The biggest reason for us to become certified was to ensure that we could continue to protect our systems and data against the ever-growing threat from cybercriminals. These attacks are becoming increasingly more sophisticated, so this not only gives us the confidence that we are protected but will also showcase to our clients that we care about their requirements. 

2) Our customers want it

We have noticed that an increasing number of customers are asking for IT safeguards, so Cyber Essentials Certification is a natural next step to protect our data and ensures our customers are able to keep their cyber systems secure.

3) Understand our systems

Becoming certified also gave us an opportunity to understand our current IT systems and gave us a clear picture of our organisation’s security systems. 

How to get Cyber Essentials Certification

This is an important aspect for businesses and is a widely recognised government scheme, and achieving the certification should be an essential consideration for any organisation, no matter your size or the sector you work in. 

Step one: Purchase Cyber Essential Basic or Plus

The first step in achieving your certification is to purchase either the Cyber Essentials Basic package or the Cyber Essentials Plus package. This will give you access to the member’s area, which contains all the information you need to keep your IT systems secure. 

Step two: Complete the self-assessment form

The next step to achieving it for your company is to complete the self-assessment form. This can be done via the online platform and does not need to be completed in one go, allowing you to leave and return as required. 

Step three: Receive your certification 

The information that you submit will then be reviewed by BiP specialists, and once approved, the IASME consortium (the awarding body) will send you your Cyber Essentials Certification. 

What are the benefits of achieving Cyber Essentials for your business?

We will explore the undeniable benefits that come with achieving Cyber Essentials certification. We will delve into how this proactive approach to cybersecurity can empower your business, foster customer trust, and provide a competitive advantage in today's digital landscape.

Improve your security processes 

The biggest benefit of achieving the Cyber Essentials Certification is that it will give you the peace of mind that your IT security is working to protect you. Once you have been accredited, you will be protected against 98.5% of the most common cybersecurity threats. 

Build trust with your customers 

Another major benefit of achieving it for your organisation is that it will help you to build trust with your customers. With many high-profile and highly damaging cyberattacks in recent years, many customers are nervous about the security of their data. 

Having a government-backed accreditation showcases to customers that you are focused on cybersecurity and reassures them that their data is kept safe. 

Bid for more work 

Having the certification is a requirement for any government work, so achieving yours will open the door for any contracts that involve the public sector. 

Add your name to the registered supplier list

When your certification is approved, your name will be listed on the NCSC website, allowing potential clients to check your cybersecurity credentials. 

Strengthen the supply chain 

Finally, achieving the Cyber Essentials Certification is a great way to improve your relationships with your entire supply chain. When your partners, suppliers, and stakeholders can see that you have the accreditation, they will have confidence in your operations and will be more willing to work with you. 

Ready to achieve your Cyber Essentials Certification?

Are you ready to secure your Cyber Essentials Certification? Here at Critical Path, we have partnered with Cyber Essentials to offer this vital certification to all of our clients. This ensures that you can protect your IT systems and keep your business safe from the threats being posed by cybercriminals.

Our team will work with you every step of the way, helping you to improve your systems and implement the latest techniques and security features. Want to find out more about how our experienced team can help you? Get in touch today!